SANTA CLARA - Alan Gordon's goal in the 88th minute salvaged a 1-1 tie for the San Jose Earthquakes against Chivas USA on Sunday.

Gordon, a substitute in the 57th minute, headed in a perfectly placed crossing pass from rookie midfielder Sam Garza to tie it. San Jose (7-2-2) moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, three points behind Real Salt Lake.

Chivas USA (3-6-1) withstood San Jose's pressure for nearly the entire afternoon as the Earthquakes tried to make a goal by rookie forward Jose Correa in the fourth minute stand up for the winner.

Correa, a 19-year-old Colombian signed by Chivas USA last month, curled a shot to the goal post from seven yards out for his first career MLS goal. Miller Bolanos set James Riley free down the sideline, where Riley crossed in for Correa to finish.

"It was a great debut for him, obviously he made a good run and got into a good spot and finished it," Chivas USA coach Fraser told MLSSoccer.com. "As a young player that is coming into a new league; what a way for him to start."

The Earthquakes dominated possession after that and peppered Dan Kennedy with shots until Gordon broke through.

"Part of that is how we manage a game," Fraser told MLSsoccer.com on giving up the tying goal. "If we do a better job of managing the game and ending the game on a little bit more on our terms then it does look quite our way. But when you're hanging on at the end then it's difficult."

San Jose held possession for 62.5 percent of the match and had 24 shots, six on goal. Chivas USA recorded just five shots overall, and only Correa's was on target.

Kennedy made five saves, including a couple of spectacular ones to deny Steven Lenhart in the second half. But Kennedy could do nothing on Gordon's goal, when the 30-year-old beat the goalkeeper to Garza's cross at the near post.

"We can't ask ourselves to defend for 80 minutes, anytime you do that, teams are going to get chances," Riley told MLSsoccer.com. "I thought that we did dealt with it admirably, but you're not going to be able to put out every fire so the thing is to not have to put ourselves in situations like that where we're asked to put out fires every time-and critical fires at that."

That helped San Jose avoid suffering a fourth home defeat in five matches to Chivas USA since being re-established as an expansion team in 2008.